Strong science and technology capacity: a necessity, not a luxury.

Science and technology, which have opened the doors for a green revolution in many countries, are being reinforced for developing countries so that they can make informed decisions in addressing their critical needs and enhancing their capabilities, especially in carrying out the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

At the lanuch on 5 January 2004 at UN Headquarters of a new report entitled "Inventing a Better Future: A Strategy for Building Worldwide Capacities in Science and Technology", attended by an international study panel of scientists, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that the eight MDG commitments, from halving poverty to crippling the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing primary education by 2015, required tapping into human creativity and innovation. This is where science and technology has a role to play. "The United Nations and its partners hope to mobilize the best scientific minds of our time, and put their expert knowledge and advice at the service of the world's peoples, as they work to reach the Millennium Development Goals", he said.

The report is the brainchild of the InterAcademy Council, which was established in May 2000. A four-year-old grouping of 90 national science academies, the Council provides expert knowledge to international bodies, such as the United Nations and the World Bank. It also encourages Governments worldwide to develop national science and technology strategies to surmount poverty, hunger, disease and other social problems.

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Study panel co-chair Ismail Serageldin, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt, said that "it is no longer brawn but brains that make up the bulk of wealth around the world today", and that enhancing scientific capacities in developing countries "is truly a necessity and not a luxury".

Wealthy industrialized nations spend between 1.5 and 3.8 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on research and development, according to the report. While India allocates 1.2 per cent and China 0.69 per cent of GDP to research and development, most developing nations devote less than 0.5 per cent. For that reason, Mr. Serageldin pointed out, they need to invest more per capita in science and technology if the gaps between the "have" and the "have-not" nations are to be bridged.

Mamphela Ramphele, Managing Director for Human Development at the World Bank and a member of the study panel, emphasized on developing science and technology strategies that reflect local priorities and specific funding, in consultation with the country's science, engineering, medical and industrial communities. "Culture of research must move out of the ivory tower and find its true calling as a provider of solutions of societies' most immediate problems", she said. For that, the scientists asserted that countries should create incentives for private sector participation since businesses are responsible for two thirds of all research investment. Moreover, engagement of the private sector would also mollify concerns over science not just being limited to high-tech corridors of dynamic economies.

According to the panelists, national policies that help develop, attract and reclaim science and technology talent, and regional cooperation in training scientists, by the developing countries that are more proficient in science and technology, such as Brazil, China, India and Mexico, should be encouraged. Parallel to these policies, the experts said, developing countries should give additional impetus in creating strong universities and autonomous institutes of research and training. It is time for the multilateral development agencies and bilateral donors to take a new look at the importance of building up science and technology in their financing plans, Ms. Ramphele said.

In his concluding remarks, the Secretary-General expressed hope that the InterAcademy Council and the scientific community would build further on that foundation, in partnership with the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations and world Governments: "That is how the potential of science and technology could be realized in the struggle to improve the human condition", Mr. Annan said.

By Namrita Talwar, for the Chronicle